NEW BERN - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court
today Chief United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan, sentenced the last of three defendants
in a Food Lion robbery. JASON LARTO SMALL, 24,of Raleigh, North Carolina was sentenced
to 160 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. The Court also imposed
restitution in the amount of $3.688.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on
September 4, 2008. On April 7, 2009, SMALL pled guiltyto aiding
and abetting a conspiracy to commit robberies of a business in
interstate commerce and to using and carrying a firearm during a
federal crime of violence.

On May 9, 2008, SMALL, along with his two co-defendants Jerrod Andrew Elliott and
Wayne Tyrone Eason and another individual robbed a Food Lion, located in Garner, North Carolina.
Elliott brandished a firearm, the unnamed individual brandished a knife, while SMALL operated
as a lookout and Eason was the getaway driver. Surveillance video identified SMALL. SMALL
and Eason were arrested after they attempted to flee the scene. Proceeds from the robbery were
found in the areas where SMALL and Eason were arrested. The firearm was recovered in a hotel
room, which Elliott had rented.

Mr. Holding commented, “The third of three dangerous criminals
has been put away for a long time. It is the hope that during his
time in prison, Mr. Small will learn from his mistake and take
appropriate action to turn his life around.”

Elliott and Eason were sentenced on April 9, 2009, to 24 and
36 months imprisonment, respectively.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods which encourages federal, state, and local
agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who
continually plague their communities.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Wake County
Sheriff’s Office; the Garner Police Department; and the Raleigh
Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane Jackson served as prosecutor
for the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at
www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.

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